I couldn't believe my rotten luck, what a time and place to break down.
I pulled my car over by the side of the road after hearing a loud bang from the engine. Steam was pouring out of the gaps in the bonnet as the car limped to a grinding halt. I applied the handbrake and quickly checked my phone, yep no signal what so ever out here as i let out a loud sigh of frustration. It was well past midnight and i was on a dark, country road miles from anywhere and the weather outside was what felt like hurricane winds and torrential rain. I took a deep breath as i weighed up my options, it was either sleep in my car and wait till morning or try and walk to the nearest village.
I knew next to nothing about fixing engines so that was quickly ruled out so i decided that i would have to walk the few miles to the nearest village and call a 24 hour recovery truck from there, the only problem was i didn't have a decent coat with me on this occasion and only a thin tracksuit jacket. I sighed to myself again before psyching myself up to set off.
I closed the door and locked my car behind me as i briskly started to trudge along the dark wet road, the rain was relentlessly hammering down against me as my jacket offered little protection. The cold water stinging my face like a thousand tiny needles stabbing me over and over as i walked into the darkness. I was on edge as it was completely pitch black and all i could hear was the leaves rustling against the harsh, howling winds.
After about 10 minutes of walking i heard the distant, familiar rumble of an engine behind me and as i looked back over my shoulder, sure enough i saw the dull glow of headlights back in the distance.
Normally i would never attempt to hitch a ride from a stranger but i was completely soaked through and freezing, my clothes were now plastered against my slender 5'8 frame like a second skin. I was shivering almost uncontrollably and still god knows how far away from the nearest village so i decided to try and flag the car down and hope they would take pity and give me a lift.
As the vehicle approached i held out my arm in the hope that they would stop. It worked! the vehicle slowed right down as it reached me, the vehicle was a big black Ford pick up truck and as it stopped, the window wound down.
"Is that your car a mile back?" enquired the gruff male voice came from within.
"Yeah, it died on me, great place to happen huh?" i mused in response.
"Hop in kid and i'l give you a lift" The stranger offered.
"Are you sure?" i replied looking into the dark cabin of the truck unable to see my rescuer.
"Sure am kid, a little waif like you won't last long out here" he continued.
"Oh man, that would be amazing. I just need dropping off at the next village so i can call a tow truck if that wouldn't be too much trouble?" i responded keenly.
"Yeah no sweat, hop in" the voice said.
As i stepped closer to his truck i could now make out his outline. He looked incredibly large and thick set as i swung open the door and quickly climbed into the passenger seat. As plopped myself down in the leather seat i got my first clear look at the driver. He was indeed thick, brawny man, likely in his late 40's or early 50's with a shaved head and thick goatee. He was absolutely massive, not fat but very muscular and beefy.
"The names Darryl" the man proclaimed, extending his hand.
"Jake" i offered back, extending my arm as i shook his hand.
His hand was much larger than my bony slender one and attached to it was his thick, hairy muscular arm. His tight fitting white t shirt was stretched to its maximum against his massive biceps, his grip was strong almost vice like making me grimace as he shook it firmly.
"How far away is the village?" i enquired.
"There's no where open in the village at this time of night." he chuckled as he informed me. I realised he was probably right, even the pubs would likely be shut by now.
"I will take you back to mine" he simply told me, not really giving me a choice.
"Are you sure? i wouldn't want to impose" i replied, suddenly feeling a little nervous.
"Yeah it's no problem kid, i've got a cottage not far from here. We need to get you out of those wet clothes" he told me with a sly grin.
His comment made me feel very uneasy but i tried to push it from my head, just my untrusting nature is all. I need to stop assuming everyone has an agenda and is out to get me and that some people can just be nice.
"Anyone know you're stuck out here?" Daryl enquired, his eyes fixed forward on the dark country roads.
"No i haven't been able to get in touch with anyone, the phone reception out here is shocking" i replied.
"Your boyfriend is probably worried sick" he added, with a slight smirk breaking across his lips.
"I'm not gay!" i shot back, a little more aggressively than i intended as i saw his jaw harden and his knuckles whiten as he gripped the wheel harder to my reply.
"I mean..." i started to follow up before clearing my throat.
"I have nothing against that kind of thing but i'm not gay myself!" i clarified nervously.
"Are you sure?" he quizzed further.
"Erm, yeah i'm sure" i replied again.
"Sorry it's just with you having that little twink like body i just assumed you were a knob gobbler" he added as he chuckled to himself.